Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Kent.

The brethren having saluted the D . P . G . M . M ., the R . W . P . G . M . M . proceeded to appoint and invest the officers for the ensuing year , the

comp lete list of whom are as follows * . Bro . Rev . Hayman Cummings , G . C . Eng ., P . M . 322 D . Prov . G . M . „ Horatio Ward , P . M . 262 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ VV . A . Weston , P . M . 226 ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ F . Wood , 309 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ Dr . Walter , W . M . elect 152 ... ... Prov . G . S . O .

„ Creighton Walker , P . M . 69 ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . B . Harrison , W . M . 129 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Geo . Page , P . M . 129 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ VV . Kipps , VV . M . 332 ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . „ J . C . Podevin , P . P . D . G . M ., P . M . 152 ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Edwin Beer , P . M . 262 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Sec .

„ A . T . Simpson , W . M . 267 ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ J . Bush , P . M . 6 9 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ J . Kennett , S . VV . 266 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ F . Nicholls , R . M . 237 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br .

„ W . H . Popplestone , J . D . 226 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ F . G . Nichols , M . O . 44 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Samuel H . White , S . D . 266 ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ R . T . Rolfe , Tyler 129 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The dispatch of some other Masonic business was then proceeded with , among other matters a sum of 15 guineas being given from the P . G . Lodge funds , to be placed on the list of the V . W . D . P . G . M . M ., Bro . Rev . H . Cummings , who again would represent the Province of Kent as Steward at the next Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund .

Prov . Grand Lodge having been closed , the brethren speedily reassembled at the Royal Fountain Hotel , where a recherche banquet was provided by the worthy and well-known Bro . H . Ward , G . S . W ., to which a large number of Grand Officers and brethren sat down . The usual loval and patriotic toasts followed .

Bros . BINCKES , P . G . W ., and J . S . EASTES , G . O ., responded for " The Grand Officers . " "The Health of the R . W . P . G . M . M . of Kent" was proposed by the V . W . Bro . Rev . H . CUMMINGS , D . P . G . M . M ., who referred to the long services of the P . G . M . to Masonry , and the many claims he had on the esteem

and regard of the Masons of Kent , as one who , in military language , ever carried the Kentish colours to the front in every Masonic engagement , and with the other noble and distinguished rulers of Kent caused the name oi their province to be received in Masonic gatherings with enthusiastic welcome . As R . W . P . G . M . M . his work , interest , and example was well known

lo them all . It was not easy to gauge it all , and he trusted the G . A . O . T . U . would long spare their P . G . Master to give them the benefit of his rich stores of true and genuine Masonic knowledge ; that the province might long rejoice under his rule , and that he mig ht have the gratification of seeing Mark Masonry flourish in Kent with an ever increasing progress .

The toast was honoured with enthusiasm , and the R . W . P . G . M . M ., in reply , said it was always a pleasure to him to be received in the happy way thc brethren did receive him ; whether he was visiting a private lodge or presiding over his provincial meeting , the same happy note of welcome sounded for him . He was their own appointment , three times for the usual

term they had elected him their P . G . M . M ., and for six years he had done his best for the province and Mark Masonry , and the result they saw that day . He hoped to see it progress still more , if the G . A . O . T . U . spared him for the next three years . Referring to the bestowal of Provincial Grand honours , the P . G . M . concluded with some very excellent counsel and advice , which those present will remember .

The R . W . P . G . M . then proposed " The Health of the Deputy P . G . M . M . and P . G . Officers , " andalluded to the magnificent success which had attended the Mark Benevolent Festival in July , when the efforts of the now Deputy G . M . Kent was placed in the front of all the provinces . Being in the front rank , there Kent must stay , and he trusted the brethren would give the new

D . P . G . M . the welcome he deserved and support him in all his efforts to enhance the reputation of the province . Among the P . G . Officers were some who had done good service to the province ; the G . S . W ., Bro . Ward , was known as a mainstay of Masonry , and the late Deputy P . G . M . was still going to give his most valued aid and ability as P . G , Sec . With such lieutenants Mark Masonry must prosper and flourish .

The Deputy P . G . M . M ., G . S . W ., and Bro . PODEVIN , P . D . P . G . M . M ., returned thanks in suitable terms . To "The Visitors '" toast Bro . FARRAN responded , and the W . M . 262

replied to the toast of " The Receiving Lodge . " A most happy and eventful day for Mark Masonry in Kent was brought to a close by the departure of a numerous contingent by the eight o ' clock fain lor London .

District Grand Lodge Of Malta.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF MALTA .

The half-yearly communication of this District Grand Lodge was held ° n Saturday , the 19 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , La Valetta , Malta , under ^ e banner of the Union of Malta Lodge , No . 407 , E . C . The R . VV . D . G -M ., Bro , W . Kingston , on the throne , Bros . A . J . England , P . M . 4 ° 7 > acled as D . D . G . M . ; Bros . R . H . Bullock and VV . Pariente , D . G .

Wardens , and a long array of District Grand Lodge Officers , Present and 1 ast , supported their D . G . M . on this occasion . There was also a large attendance of brethren and visitors . District Grand Lodge was opened in ° form , and the roll of District Grand Lodge Officers and private lod ges in the district was called . The minutes of the last half-yearly com-

District Grand Lodge Of Malta.

munication were read and confirmed . The minutes of the Committee of General Purposes held 30 th September last were read . Their recommendation to District Grand Lodge for an additional grant of . £ 10 from the Benevolent Fund of this district to the orphan children of a late brother of the Union of Malta Lodge , No . 407 , was unanimously agreed to . The minutes of the said Committee were then adopted in their entirety .

The DISTRICT GRAND SECRETARY made the interesting announcement that he had received telegraphic information stating that George James Senior , son of the late Bro . George Senior , Union of Malta Lodge , No . 407 , had been elected on 12 th October to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . This good news was received with applause , and a hearty vote of

thanks to V . W . Bro . Col . G . Haldane , P . D . D . G . M . Malta , P . W . M . 349 , & c , and other brethren and friends in England who had largely contributed to his success , was passed . A similar vote of thanks was also passed to Bro . J . W . Starkey , District Grand Secretary , and brethren in Malta who had formed themselves into a working Committee , and rendered valuable help .

The DISTRICT GRAND SECRETARY , drew particular attention to the special appeal made in connection with the preparatory school , and suggested to the lodges and brethren of the district generally , to organise and do their utmost to increase their voting power . The DISTRICT GRAND MASTER having addressed the meeting in a

similar sense , District Grand Lodge was closed in due form , after which the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , where the usual Alasonic and other toasts customary on such occasions were given and duly honoured . During the evening several subscriptions were handed tothe District Grand Secretary for the Preparatory School , in reply to the appeal he made in open lodge .

LIBRARY WORK . —Right VVorshipful Herman G . Carter , Grand Librarian of the Grand Lodge of Ncw Vork , in his annual report , jjst made , says ; " There has ever existed , among all cultured and enlightened people , a strong desire for the formation of libraries , to preserve thc literature of their best writers and authors . To a great extent the ancients as well as the moderns , have promoted and indulged in this taste . Thc Grand Lodge should continue to keep a deep interest in its Masonic Library , and

extend toward it a fostering care , for we are among the few Grand Lodges who possess on of the best and most complete libraries in the land . The collection of a library is a continuous work , and our zeal sheuld not abate , for it is a history of the Craft in the past , and for all time to come . * Books are a part of man ' s prerogative , In formal ink they thought and voices hold , That we to them our solitude may give And make time present travelled , that of old . '

lhe Masonic publications are among the peculiar features of the literature of the day . No other secret society can compare with us in the varied and comprehensive treatises and scientific works , and to be a 'bright Mason , ' is not only to be proficient in the ritual of our Fraternity , but to understand its laws , usages , teachings and philosophy . The Institution of

Masonry has a wealth of rich and scientific literature , and nowhere in the world can the neophyte and Masonic student , in quest of knowledge , find a larger collection of Masonic and miscellaneous books , and serials , then are to be found in this Grand Lodge Library , comprising the works and writings of those eminent in the Craft for past generations . " —Voice of Masonry .

OFFICIAL VISITATION . —Right VVorshipful S . F . Chadwick , of Oregon , rightfully and very zealously advocates official visitation of lodges . He says : "There is nothing that will infuse life into a subordinate lodge and make it stand on its feet , equal to the visitation of the Grand Master annually . We know lhata subordinate lodge which neversees a Grand Officer within its doors feels as if it were a sickly nonentity ; but let the Grand

Master announce that he is coming , and when the day arrives the brethren will gather in for the evening , and their wives and daughters also wanting to see the commander-in-chief , will have a fine spread , music and dancing , to follow when the veil is drawn aside . Brethren will be happy in the lod geroom and equally so in the repast . Try it . VVe know all about it . It will draw the remotest lodge to the centre . There is life in good cheer , and thc

good cheer of a Mason is his life . Southern Masons have no lack of the spirit to bring light out of darkness , only give them the opportunity . They are a head , in many respects , or their more northern brothers in matters that call forth the unselfish impulses of a kind heart . They do these things on a broader scale when they break forth . Even our brethren who live under the frowning icebergs of Alaska , with snowy mountains all around them , warm up in their social amenities , and become the best of men when

the Grand Master visits their bailiwick . While our Northern Masons have the colder climate to chill the social intercourse , our Southern brethren feel the warm influences of the atmosphere in which they move ; but let Masonry come in with her maternal regard for her children and all at once they will meet on the level in goodness of heart , and warmth of soul , without reference to locality or selfish interests to affect them . " It is unquestionable that judicious official visitation of lodges is desirable and beneficial , and we hope it will be practised in all jurisdictions . — Voice of Masonry .

CROSS , J EREMY L . —An American Ritualist , of whom Mackey gives a long account , and who was born 17 S 3 , and died in 1 S 61 . He was a pupil of Thomas Smith Webb , who seems to have made many changes in the old Prestonial lectures , as well as in the high grade rituals . At least , Mackey says so . In 1819 Cross published his well-known " True Masonic Chart , or Hieroglyphic Monitor "—borrowed , Mackey tells us , from Webb ' s

" Monitor , " as Webb , in turn , had borrowed from Preston . The engraving of the Emblems made the book popular ; and his " Templars' Chart , " in 1820 , seems to have been equally acceptable . As the " Handbuch " says , the great aim of his life seems to have been the extension of the high grade system , and in this he certainly succeeded . Whether his system was good per se Masonically , is and must remain an open question . —Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry .